Harwinton House rebuild gets $25k boost

HARWINTON -- The raising of the Harwinton house received a big initial boost Friday when members of the Harwinton Historical Society fronted a $25,000 check to town officials for the joint rebuilding project.

First erected in 1759, the building now referred by locals as "the Harwinton house" rests disassembled in storage trailers after sitting in New Canaan -- the move from the northwest corner came in 1931 when the Bristol Water Company purchased the land where the house previously stood. The town of Harwinton paid $80,000 of a $150,000 state-funded grant to move it in 2010, and officials say the remaining $70,000 is set aside for site work, a foundation and septic system.

Selectmen decided in December to hold town land, west of Harwinton Town Hall, for the new site of the 18th century house.

On Friday, First Selectman Michael Criss was handed $25,000 by Harwinton Historical Society President Richard Pacholski and the organization's treasurer, Harry Schuh, proving their dedication to the project that they hope will one day be the historical society's home. The funds will be used specifically for contracting an architect or engineer.

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The Harwinton Historical Society predicts an estimated $300,000 will need to be raised to complete the project.

"This is a huge step forward," Criss said. "This is what I've personally asked for since my election into office. It was a historical society project, so I wanted commitment from them. Now we all have skin in the game. It's not just the taxpayers and the town funding the project."

Criss believes with the rebuilding effort, the Harwinton Historical Society will have "a permanent home," providing an outlet for residents' education into Harwinton's "pretty unique" history.

"It's great to see the historical society invested in their commitment," said Harwinton historian Roger Plaskett. "Once rebuilt, this house will provide a wonderful venue to teach and learn about our past."

Criss is targeting the house to be erected and open to the public by mid-summer 2013.

The rest of the project depends on additional funding, and Criss said town officials are searching for "historical society-type" grants. Because the only funding the town has previously received was from Connecticut's Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), they've focused the money on infrastructure. Criss believes if Harwinton can locate "restoration grants," the house can receive "proper reimbursement and proper funding."

Because the current "Harwinton house' is in pieces in storage, and due to its age, time is of the essence for the project. "The longer it sits, the more detrimental it becomes," Criss said.

"Again, [the $25,000] is a huge step in the right direction for raising the funds and reaching our goal," Criss said. "This dedication is showing the unity between the town and the historical society."

Reach Ricky Campbell at 860-489-3121 x343 and follow him on Twitter @ReporterRicky.